3 candidates enter council by-election contest

Three candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to contest the Alice Springs Council by-election slated for the February 26.

Local businessmen Steve Brown and Eli Melky and RSPCA Shelter manager Jill Hall will battle for the alderman's seat.

Mr Brown wants to help keep young people working in the town.

"An enormous number of our problems arise from the lack of affordability of being in Alice and it all boils back to land availability," he said.

"And I think that the council should take whatever involvement it has to including being a developer if necessary.

I know that'll probably scare a few council people as well but I believe for the sake of Alice Springs that that's necessary and for the sake of our young people for not having people available to fill the jobs."